Shahid Malik

Last updated

Malik claimed £185,421 in parliamentary expenses for 2006, the highest amount claimed by any MP. [62] Some £163,000 of this was used for staff and office etc. while the rest some £22,110 was claimed for personal use as part of his 'staying away from main house' allowance (ACA). 183 other MPs claimed exactly the same amount and in 2007/08 he again claimed the maximum personal ACA allowance as did 142 other MPs. Following Thomas Legg's audit of MPs expenses spending limits on eligible items were retrospectively lowered thus meaning that 468 MPs being were forced to make repayments. Malik repaid £1,300. The investigation further ordered that Malik apologise in writing to the House "for breaching the rules of the House when he was a Member of Parliament and for his failure while still a member to respond sufficiently promptly to the Commissioner's investigation". It noted Malik had failed "to recognise his personal responsibility" to respond thus making the situation "more serious." A spokesman for Malik said the claim had previously been "approved twice by the parliamentary authorities and subsequently audited as eligible." [63]

On 15 May 2009, Malik stepped down as justice minister in order to allow the Prime Minister's independent adviser on ministerial interests, Philip Mawer, to investigate accusations in The Daily Telegraph that he had breached the Ministerial Code by accepting preferential rent on his office and home. However, the inquiry concluded that he was in fact paying the market rent and Mawer cleared him of any breach. On 9 June, Malik rejoined the government as Communities and Local Government minister. [64] After a further inquiry by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Malik also was cleared of parliamentary rules. On receiving the news Malik said: "I have now been cleared of breaching the ministerial code of conduct by the ministerial standards adviser Sir Philip Mawer, cleared of any abuse of expenses by a parliamentary review conducted by the Department of Resources, and now finally cleared of abusing office expenses by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards John Lyon. Today's outcome represents the end of a 12-month nightmare and I would like to thank all those family, friends and constituents who have stood by me and kept the faith – we have today all been vindicated." [65] [66]

Racist hate material

Malik and his staff regularly had to intercept abusive and racist communications sent to his offices in Westminster and Dewsbury. [67] [68] [69] In June 2008 Malik acted against YouTube after supporters of the far-right posted a 39-second video clip warning him not to "mess with the big boys", cutting from a still of the BNP leader, Nick Griffin, to a shot of Malik covered in blood. The video was removed from the site following a further complaint from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. [70]

In December 2009, a 55-year-old man from Woodley, Berkshire pleaded guilty under the Malicious Communications Act of 1988, of sending an indecent or grossly offensive email to Malik for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety. He was fined £200. [71] [72]

Anthrax terror alert

In December 2009 an envelope containing suspicious white powder was sent to Malik's office at the House of Commons, triggering an anti-terrorist investigation. Comments written on the envelope suggested it had been sent by a supporter of the far-right. The substance was later found to be harmless. [70]

Personal life and family

Although over a hundred MPs employed family members in their offices, Malik was found to be the only MP to have employed his father, who was paid between £13,566 to £25,195 per year from the taxpayer-funded MP's Staffing Allowance fund. Failure to initially disclose this information was later referenced in Malik's use of expenses investigation. [73] [74] [75]

Notes

  1. Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar became the first Muslim elected to parliament at the 1997 general election but was born in Pakistan. [2]

References

  1. "Former Members (220) in receipt of an award from the Resettlement Grant. 1 April 2011" (PDF). www.parliament.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2012.
  2. "Sarwar, Mohammad". Who's Who 2010 Online Edition. Oxford University Press. November 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  3. "Former Burnley mayor in 'lucky escape' after crash (From This Is Lancashire)". Thisislancashire.co.uk. 28 February 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  4. "News and Events | International | University of Central Lancashire". Uclan.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  5. "Archive from". the Lancashire Telegraph. 26 June 2001. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  6. "Shahid Malik". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011.
  7. "The candidate left out in the cold". The Independent. 16 March 2004. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  8. "WPR - Shahid Malik (Ex-MP)". Parliamentaryrecord.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  9. Norman, Matthew (24 October 2000). "Diary: Matthew Norman". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  10. Watt, Nicholas (29 January 2003). "Blocking of Asian candidate stirs row over Labour shortlists". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  11. John, Cindi (1 December 2004). "UK | UK Politics | Women-only lists 'bar minorities'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 September 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  12. Patrick Sawer (3 February 2004). "Selection row brewing for Labour". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  13. "Labour activist 'hurt by riot police'". BBC News. 26 June 2001. Archived from the original on 19 May 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  14. "Fragile Calm in Burnley". BBC News. 26 June 2001. Archived from the original on 21 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  15. "Westminster Hall debates, 'Police Crowd Control'". Hansard. 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 April 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  16. "Rioters' sentences reduced". BBC News. 10 April 2003. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  17. Cowling, David (7 May 2005). "Who deserted Labour?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  18. Stokes, Paul (7 May 2010). "General Election 2010: Communities minister Shahid Malik ousted in Dewsbury". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  19. "Shahid Malik". Labour Party . Archived from the original on 10 February 2009.
  20. "Honorary Graduates – University of Bradford". Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  21. "Bomb suspect's family "shattered"". BBC News. 14 July 2005. Archived from the original on 16 November 2006. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  22. Hamilton, Fiona (15 August 2006). "Why Muslims must rise up now and join the battle against extremism". Shahid Malik. London. Retrieved 20 June 2010.[ dead link ]
  23. Hamilton, Fiona (10 February 2007). "Stop whingeing and show leadership". Shahid Malik. London. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  24. "School suspends woman over veil". BBC News. 16 October 2006. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  25. Wardrop, Murray (24 June 2009). "Muslim leaders condemn Sarkozy over burqa ban". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  26. "HOUSE OF COMMONS CLEANERS - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament". edm.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  27. 1 2 "Shahid Malik's pride". Dewsbury Reporter. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  28. "DEWSBURY: Tories claim Labour Minister's scalp after boundary changes". Yorkshire Post. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  29. "General election 2010: Could boundary changes swing the election?". Huddersfield Examiner. Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  30. "Ex-journalist Bell helping independent's battle to oust Malik". Yorkshire Post. 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  31. "[ARCHIVED CONTENT] DFID | Speech | Shahid Malik launches UK progress report on aid effectiveness". Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  32. "The Financial Express". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015.
  33. http://www.caribank.org/events/closing-by-the-chairmanelect [ dead link ]
  34. The Committee Office, House of Commons. "House of Commons - International Development - Minutes of Evidence". Publications.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  35. "UK sends boats and blankets for ongoing Bangladesh relief effort - Bangladesh | ReliefWeb". Reliefweb.int. 3 December 2007. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  36. "DFID - Shahid Malik meets a monsoon in Bangladesh". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  37. 1 2 "Plea for Burma victims; Minister in cyclone talks. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  38. 1 2 Department of the Official Report (Hansard) (5 July 2007). "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 05 July 2007 (pt 0001)". Publications.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  39. "Australia-UK Press Release - Australian High Commission". Pakistan.embassy.gov.au. 19 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  40. "Shahid Malik provides new boost for peace in Nepal - Nepal | ReliefWeb". Reliefweb.int. 19 September 2007. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  41. "Sadak and Shahid: The Roads in Nepal and a British Minister | United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal". Blog.com.np. 28 June 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  42. "Statement on Darfur by Shahid Malik MP, Minister for International Development". Appablog.wordpress.com. 13 April 2008. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  43. "UK Minister praises Vietnam's poverty reduction efforts | VOV Online Newspaper". Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  44. "DFID - Shahid Malik visits Indonesia". Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  45. "DFID - Young people encouraged to combine forces to fight global poverty". Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 4 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  46. "DFID - Lessons in global issues". Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 20 March 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  47. "Institute of Community Cohesion - Cohesion Minister Shahid Malik today called on local councils to put community cohesion right at the heart of their local services as new guidance is published". Cohesioninstitute.org.uk. 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  48. Macfarlane, Mhairi (3 March 2010). "WALTHAM FOREST: Minister praises anti-terror effort (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)". Guardian-series.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  49. The Committee Office, House of Commons. "House of Commons - Culture, Media and Sport Committee - Minutes of Evidence". Publications.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  50. "Is The World Economy Really Recovering?". EGOV Monitor. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  51. "Major work begins at London Gateway Port". Porttechnology.org. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  52. Lloyd, Tom (15 January 2010). "Regeneration body to be merged with HCA". Inside Housing. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  53. "Independent Progressive Public Policy Think Tank" (PDF). Smith-institute.org.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  54. "Brown honours British heroes of the Holocaust". Reuters. 9 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020 via uk.reuters.com.
  55. "Journalist's 'fury' over libel claim". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  56. "Petition to defend free speech..." Thepressnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  57. "Minister drops newspaper libel claim". Yorkshire Post. 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  58. "Costs soar as Malik libel case goes to full jury trial". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  59. "Muslim Minister Stopped And Searched In US, Sky News, 29 October 2007". BSkyB. 29 October 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  60. "BBC defiant over Gaza tv appeal". Metro.co.uk. 24 January 2009. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  61. Milland, Gabriel (9 August 2009). "£45m war against extremism 'is soft on Muslim youths'". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  62. White, Michael; Branigan, Tania (26 October 2007). "Record claim prompts plea for greater transparency". Guardian Newspaper. London: Guardian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  63. "Justice minister Shahid Malik claimed for insuring wife's £8,000 ring". www.telegraph.co.uk. 17 September 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  64. "New ministerial role for cleared Shahid Malik". The Independent. London: Independent Print Limited. 9 June 2009. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  65. "Minister cleared over expenses | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. 3 April 2010. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  66. Barkham, Patrick (20 July 2011). "Tories brush off expenses scandal while voters punish Labour in general election". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  67. Muir, Hugh (30 December 2009). "White powder in envelope sent to MP triggers Commons terror alert". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Archived from the original on 12 October 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  68. Hamilton, Fiona (15 August 2006). "Why Muslims must rise up now and join the battle against extremism". Shahid Malik. London. Retrieved 23 June 2010.[ dead link ]
  69. Milmo, Cahal (4 July 2008). "Muslims feel like 'Jews of Europe'". The Independent. London: Independent Print Limited. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  70. 1 2 Muir, Hugh (30 December 2009). "White powder in envelope sent to MP triggers Commons terror alert". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Archived from the original on 12 October 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  71. "News: Surrey news updates from across the region". Getsurrey.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  72. "Woodley man sent racist email to MP". Reading Post. S&B Media. 2 December 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  73. "Dewsbury MP Malik only one to employ dad at Westminster". Yorkshire Evening Post. 26 November 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  74. "MP Malik has father on payroll". Dewsbury Reporter. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  75. "More than 100 MPs employ family members on expenses". The Independent. 25 April 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
Shahid Malik
Shahid Malik (cropped).jpg
Official portrait, 2008
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
In office
9 June 2009 11 May 2010
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Dewsbury
2005–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development
2007–2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by
New position
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice
2008–2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities
2009–2010
Succeeded by